Special judicial council approves prosecutor’s recommendation in Vatopedi case

A five-member special judicial council on Wednesday unanimously approved of a prosecutor’s recommendation to throw out a breach of trust against the state charge against former New Democracy (ND) ministers Petros Doukas, Alexandros Kontos and Evangelos Basiakos in relation to the Vatopedi land swap case, written off under the statute of limitations, according to sources.

The ruling will be formally issued in early February, citing that the Parliament should have checked if the offences with which the former ministers were charged fell under the statute of limitations before referring them to the judicial council.

According to the council’s decision, the offence with which they were charged has been written off after the Parliament dissolved on Sept. 7, 2009.

The council also ruled that the questioning of alleged accomplices and non political figures should continue by examining magistrate Irini Kalou.

Former premier Karamanlis denies article claiming that he will not run for Parliament

Aides of former prime minister Costas Karamanlis on Wednesday strenuously denied claims posted on an Internet site, according to which Karamanlis has decided not to run for Parliament in the next elections.

“This is all fiction and there has been no such discussion,” Karamanlis’ aides said.